Pleasanton Weekly

Bicyclist suffers major injuries in fall off Ridge trail

Cyclist rushed to Edens Hospital by helicopter

by Jeb Bing

A bicyclist riding with his son-in-law suffered major injuries Saturday morning when he fell with his bike off the Thermalito Trail on Pleasanton Ridge.

Responding to a 911 call, firefighters on two off-road vehicles initiated a search for the victim from both the Augustine Bernal Park access through Golden Eagle and the Foothill Staging Area. A fire truck from the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department and a Paramedics Plus ambulance were then moved into positions on the trail to assist in aiding the injured man.

Joe Testa, the fire department's battalion chief, said the injured man was located on the west side of the ridge and was determined to have potentially life threatening injuries.

At the fire department's request, a Stanford Life Flight helicopter was called to the scene, landing on the trail approximately a quarter-mile from the bicycle crash site. The injured man was transferred to the helicopter and transported to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley.

Testa said the man's son in-law assisted rescuers in locating the patient and providing information. No other cyclists were involved in the crash.

"This incident serves as a reminder to always wear a bicycle helmet, as this rider was, and to know your location, especially when bicycling off of main roads," Testa said. "Carrying a map can be a very helpful way to identify your location in the event of an emergency or if you should become lost."